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ArchivesOn the etymology of Athena
I'd like to note the most likely etymology for Athena (or Athene), Hellenic Goddess of wisdom. Athena is also known as Minerva (latin) .
Athe => "ather" meaning "sharp, pointy (weapon)", and
ne/na => "aine" meaning "praised, famous".
This approach also ties in with the interpretation of Pallas (an adjective frequesntly used to describe Athena) as meaning "waving, pulsating".
Athe => "ather" meaning "sharp, pointy (weapon)", and
ne/na => "aine" meaning "praised, famous".
This approach also ties in with the interpretation of Pallas (an adjective frequesntly used to describe Athena) as meaning "waving, pulsating".
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Hi Pavlos,
if I may ask: what are those elements "athe(r)" and "aine/ne/na" that you refer to? That's not Greek, right?
if I may ask: what are those elements "athe(r)" and "aine/ne/na" that you refer to? That's not Greek, right?
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Thanks Pavlos! I'll add that to the Athena entry.
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You're welcome Mike, my pleasure :)
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Always enjoyed your Greek etymologies, Pavlos. Glad to see you're still at it. :)
-- Nanaea
-- Nanaea
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Dear Nan, its so good to see you pop in every so often!
I was thinking of you ther other day: someone gave Nephele an electronic Santa Claus with a nodding head. She somehow meddled with the electronics, and now Santa's head rotates around its axis instead of nodding, thus beaming with ultra-satanic charm!
Very merry Saturnalia to you and J :)
I was thinking of you ther other day: someone gave Nephele an electronic Santa Claus with a nodding head. She somehow meddled with the electronics, and now Santa's head rotates around its axis instead of nodding, thus beaming with ultra-satanic charm!
Very merry Saturnalia to you and J :)
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